Quinceañera Planning Timeline

The Quinceañera is the first of many big days in any girl's life, and the celebration is a big one. Events take time to plan, and it is important to start early so that all the details fall into place for the big day. Start planning up to one or two years before your daughter's 15th birthday.

Start with a Budget

Determine how much you want, and can afford, to spend on a Quinceañera. How many guests do you plan to invite? Where do you plan to have the event? Start to think about the church and priest or minister, where to host the reception and start booking other people and companies such as caterers, DJs and photographers. This is also the time to start appointing the damas and chambelanes to make up the Quinceañera court.

Just Under a Year Away

This is when you should start thinking about a dress and all the accessories that go with it. Start shopping for a Quinceañera dress a few months before the big day. Waiting until inside a year means that your daughter will probably be about the same size, unless she has a growth spurt. So you can feel comfortable in starting the fitting process. Finalize your daughter's escort and court of honor for the festivities. You also need to find formalwear for the chambelanes and dresses and accessories for the damas. Work with the court and a choreographer or dance instructor to help everyone get in step with the Quinceañera waltz, and a few other moves.

Six Months and Counting

Finalize your guest list and order your invitations. Start purchasing decorations and party favors, and draft out any part of the ceremony and reception that you want to happen.

The Day of the Event

There are so many details that you have worked hard on. Now it is the day of the Quinceañera, and time to celebrate. You want to enjoy the festivities, but there are still a few more details. Make sure all the hair, makeup and nail appointments are booked, and everyone gets to all their appointments. Make sure decorations, floral arrangements and party favors are in place. Appoint someone to handle emergencies that might spring up; keep this person armed with an arsenal of equipment such as a first aid kit, mini-sewing kit, makeup and an extra pair of pantyhose. By handing this responsibility off to a family member or good friend, you can now enjoy the celebration.